Bus and coach accident claims

Though not as common as car accidents, accidents involving buses and coaches still happen and can be very traumatic for those involved. Not only could you sustain physical injuries as a result of a collision, you could also suffer psychological problems which may have a long term effect on your life.

If you have been involved in a bus or coach accident and you were not to blame, then you are entitled to make a claim for compensation. Just like for car accidents, your claim could compensate you for physical injuries, psychological effects which may occur and also loss of earnings and other financial matters.

If the driver of the bus or coach was liable for the accident, or whether the blame lies with the bus or coach operators, you still have the right to make a claim. You are also able to make a claim if the accident was not a direct result of someone’s actions and that of nature (for example, weather conditions).

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Types of bus and coach accidents

The most obvious way in which you could be injured whilst travelling on a bus or coach is during a road traffic accident where the vehicle is involved in a collision. The collision could be caused by a number of things – another vehicle on the road, a pedestrian on the road, weather conditions, a fault with the vehicle or driver incompetence.

However, a bus or coach does not have to be involved in a road traffic accident for you to sustain an injury and therefore be entitled to make a claim. Just two examples of this are – if the bus brakes too quickly whilst you are boarding or descending you could suffer a fall, or you could slip on floor due to a spillage or litter and hurt yourself in some way.

Bus and coach operators have a legal duty of care to ensure that their passengers are safe whilst travelling with them, so if you sustain an injury that wasn’t your fault, no matter what situation caused it, you are entitled to make a claim.

Bus and coach accident injuries

The most common type of injury that can occur following a bus or coach accident is whiplash. Even though this is the most common type of injury for all road traffic accidents, it is more common in bus accidents due to the lack of seatbelts.

Other common injuries include cuts and bruises and sprained or broken limbs from falls.

Just like all accidents, the more serious it is, the more likely the injuries sustained are severe.

How do I make a claim?

If you have been involved in a bus or coach accident and have suffered an injury as a result, you should contact a solicitor who will listen to your claim and advise you on how to proceed. Before contacting them, to make things easier for you and your legal representation you should do the following things:

Note down the time, date and place of the accident

Ask any witnesses if they are prepared to give a statement and if so, take down their details (but do remember that not everyone will be willing)

Note any costs that you incur due to your injury such as medical costs, travelling expenses etc

Gather together any other information that you feel is important to your claim such as letters from work to claim back loss of earnings